The onset of biting winter cold has brought a festive buzz to Rajbari, where seasonal pitha stalls have sprung up across the district.
Every evening, eager buyers draw large crowds at the stalls.
With Paush (Bengali month) well underway, the age-old bond between winter and pitha has revived brisk trade in a variety of traditional delicacies, turning local markets, railway station areas and roadside corners into lively evening hubs.
As dusk falls and light fog settles over the town, clouds of steam rise from temporary clay stoves, where vendors prepare hot bhapa and chitai pitha, attracting lines of customers from early evening until midnight.
Children, youths and elderly residents alike gather around the stalls, some eating on the spot while others pack pitha to take home, often lingering to chat and enjoy the seasonal atmosphere.
Regular customer Md Mahfuz said he visits the stalls almost every evening, noting that while homemade pitha was once common, many families now rely on these roadside vendors for the winter treat.
Another customer, Md Sirajul, said stopping by a pitha stall after work serves both as an evening snack and a way to savour the essence of winter.
Rupali Begum observed that many people have chosen pitha-making as a seasonal livelihood, with sales remaining strong as customers can quickly enjoy a warm snack while standing or sitting by the stalls.
Rafiqul Islam said the close connection between winter and pitha is best felt when sharing bhapa and chitai pitha with friends, a ritual he enjoys almost daily.
At Panna Chattar, vendor Saleha Begum explained that bhapa pitha is made from rice flour, coconut and date molasses, steamed in cloth-wrapped pots over boiling water, while chitai pitha is prepared by pouring rice batter onto heated clay pans.
Another vendor, Md Shahjahan, said the affordable prices on footpaths attract people from all walks of life, with many buying extra to take home.
At the College Mor area, seller Arshed Ali said each chitai pitha with coriander, mustard, green chilli and dried fish mash sells for Tk5, while plates of duck curry range from Tk100 to Tk150 depending on quality, and date-molasses bhapa pitha costs Tk10 each, adding that sales have been encouraging.
Female vendor Kulsum Begum said pitha trading has helped many families regain financial stability. Also, it creates opportunities for self-employment as women contribute to household incomes through roadside pitha-making.
According to local estimates, more than 300 pitha stalls have been set up across Rajbari’s five upazilas this season, with each stall selling an average of 10 kilograms of rice flour daily, putting projected turnover for the October–February season at around Tk10 crore.
